Disposal of Unwanted Medications

The Problems

While prescription and over-the-counter medications can help people and animals when used appropriately, the same medicines can be dangerous to people, animals, and the environment when used, stored, or disposed of improperly.

Over-the-counter and prescription medications – for both humans and animals – are now a leading cause of poisonings in our pets. Visit 10 "poison pills" for pets to learn more.

Neither septic tank systems nor municipal sewage and water treatment facilities can eliminate all pharmaceutical contamination poured down drains or flushed down toilets. By disposing of drugs into the water system, the problem is not solved, but transferred to water which we depend upon. A wide range of pharmaceuticals have been found in rivers, streams, groundwater, and drinking water nationwide. Visit The Environmental Protection Agency's website, Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) in Water, for more details.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that "while the number of Americans who currently abuse prescription drugs dropped in 2013 to 6.5 million from 6.8 million in 2012, that is still more than double the number of those using heroin, cocaine, and hallucinogens like LSD and Ecstasy combined, according to the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health."

If a medication's bottle is designed to be opened, remove the lid, add a safe and unpalatable substance (e.g., kitty litter or used coffee grounds) to the medication in the bottle, replace the lid, and then seal the bottle in a leak-proof bag or other container.

Goals of the MOU

Tell as many people as possible not to flush medications, and share with them the reasons and alternatives.

Share safety information on how to properly store medications out of reach of children and animals.

Reinforce to animal owners the necessity of following veterinarian directions in giving medications to their animals as well as with disposing of any unneeded doses.

Increase public awareness of pharmaceutical disposal options and rules.

Enhance collaboration and communications between animal owners and veterinarians to establish optimal prescription quantities and potential refills to address the animal health needs on an individual basis and to minimize potential pharmaceutical waste.